Richard Evans (Forum, Aug. 11) thinks that a "great mass of the electorate who are tired of partisan politics" are going to be voting for Cook. Unfortunately for him, he has underestimated the intelligence of Salt Lake voters.
While many voters are concerned about partisan politics, they all realize that in Congress, like it or not, partisanship is necessary. An independent governor may be very effective, but absolutely not a congressman (or woman). Maybe Cook does care, but all the caring in Utah isn't worth a dime in Washington.Politics in Washington, D.C., is highly partisan. Committee assignments (where the real work is done) are doled out by party leaders. The more and better party connections, the better the assignment. Coalitions are built with party connections. An independent hardly has any chance of finding co-sponsors for his own legislative bills. And when it comes to compromise, the true art of politics, what does the independent have to offer? He wouldn't even have the connections necessary to defeat legislation detrimental to Utah.
Furthermore, an independent has absolutely no clout with the Washington bureaucrats who make decisions on everything affecting Utah from base closings to wilderness issues.
Cook's self-serving attitude is clearly evidenced in his "so-called" term-limitation petition. He is willing to wait eight years for term limits to take effect, but he insists that the lesser known runoff provision (which violates the Utah Constitution) take effect with the current election. Is it any coincidence that his race is the one most likely to be affected by this proposal?
For Utahns wanting to limit partisanship in the 2nd Congressional District and have a representative who does not sell her votes, the choice is clear. Enid Greene Waldholtz is a proven consensus builder, knows the power brokers in Washington and has pledged "Utah first, above president, above party and above politics."
Kory L. Meyerink
Salt Lake City